Taiwan says unannounced Chinese drills simulated attacks

China's military and coast guard gathered more than 100 vessels across the western Pacific and around Taiwan in early November for large drills that Beijing never announced, Taiwanese officials say. A senior Taiwan security official described the exercise as "silent intimidation" aimed at Taipei and other governments ahead of major international meetings, Reuters reported. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the drills included simulated attacks on other militaries and on cities, including cities in Taiwan. The official also said the naval deployment was larger than "Justice Mission 2025," China's last formally named drills targeting the island nearly a year ago, according to Reuters.reuters.com

A missile launch and a robber analogy

The official said a Chinese submarine launched an intercontinental ballistic missile from the Yellow Sea into the Chinese mainland during the drills. "It is a silent exercise — and in effect, silent intimidation," the official said, comparing it to "a robber hiding a gun in the pocket of a coat — with the muzzle pointed at the bank teller," the Taipei Times reported, carrying the Reuters story.taipeitimes.com

Naval forces from China's eastern, northern and southern theater commands took part together. The official said that scale suggested Beijing was rehearsing more than a Taiwan blockade. It pointed to broader western Pacific operations and an effort to merge regional fleets into one far-seas force. A foreign intelligence source told Reuters the decision not to name the drills appeared deliberate, since it let Beijing apply pressure without drawing a diplomatic backlash, according to The Economic Times.economictimes.indiatimes.com

Deployment shrinks but stays active

As of Friday, November 13, about 70 vessels were still operating within the first island chain, two Taiwan security officials said. National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu said in a post on X late Thursday that the ship count had fallen, but "the groups of Northern, Eastern & Southern Theater Commands plus Liaoning carrier strike group remain operating in waters east of the Philippines." He added that Chinese air activity near Taiwan was still high, LBC reported. Wu had first said on November 3 that more than 100 Chinese navy and coast guard vessels were deployed, and he called China a "big bully," Taiwan News reported.lbc.co.uk+1

China's defense ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Beijing has called the carrier's activity "routine" and said it is not directed at any country. Taiwan Defense Minister Wellington Koo said this week that China was conducting "area denial" drills, Reuters reported.reuters.com

Shadow over APEC

The drills come shortly before the APEC leaders' summit, which Beijing will host in Shenzhen next week. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet there for the third time this year. On Thursday, Xi gave a policy speech urging peaceful "reunification" with Taiwan and did not mention the use of force. On Friday, the state-backed Global Times warned that Taiwan's ruling party would "inevitably face a harsh reckoning" if it kept "seeking 'independence by relying on external forces or military means,'" according to Reuters.reuters.com